Shipping carton



Dec. 1, 1964 L. D. VAN ANTWERPEN ETAL 3,159,275

SHIPPING CARTON Filed June 18, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS LLOYD D. VAN ANTWERPEN GEORGE W.WIEDENMEIER HERBERT A.BROECKER Dec, 1, 1964 L. D. VAN-ANTWERPEN ETAL SHIPPING CARTON Filed June 18, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS LLOYD D.VA N ANTWERPEN GEORGE W-WEDENMEIER HERBERT A. BROECKER 1964 I L. D. VAN ANTWERPEN ETAL 3,159,275

SHIPPING CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 18, 1963 INVENTORS LLOYD D VAN ANTWERPEN GEORGE W. WIEDENMEIER HERBERT A. BROECKER United States Patent 3,159,275 SHIPPING CARTGN Lloyd D. Van Antwerpen, George W. Wiedenmeier, and Herbert A. Broecker, Milwaukee, Wis, assignors to Variant (Iompany, Inc, Milwaukee, Wis.

Filed June 18, 1963, Ser. No. 288,771 7 Claims. (Cl. 2tl6-62) This invention appertains to the packaging of fragile articles and more particularly to a novel carton construction for shipping such articles as mirrors, refrigerator shelves, marble, enameled sheet panels and the curved windshield for automotive vehicles of the so-called Panorarnic or wrap-around type.

In the shipping of fragile articles, it is extremely important that the article be firmly supported against shifting in the carton. This is particularly true of glass articles and curved Windshields. While certain eliective means have been provided in the past for holding articles against shifting, a problem arises, in that the shipper invariably opens the carton to inspect the contents before accepting it for shipping. If the article is broken, it is obviously refused. This inspection happens several or many times en route. In fact, each time the carton changes hands.

Most cartons include cushioning means about the article and the carton is then stapled shut, usually through a part of the end flaps or cushioning means, or taped with a permanent type glue which necessitates the breaking of the tape to open the carton. Such inspection weakens the cushioning members, carton flaps etc., and if the carton is not re-closed carefully and properly the central portion of the article will not be firmly held in place.

Shifting of the article will then take place and particularly in curved Windshields of automotive vehicles, damage and breakage will occur. In fact, in curved windshields, it is extremely important that the article be protected and supported adjacent its central portion to prevent lateral shifting, and to relieve pressure on it downwardly and inwardly on the curved ends thereof.

Another problem lies in the fact that all articles even of a general character, such as Windshields and rear windows are not of uniform height and dimensions, and therefore, different sized cartons must be used or complicated and expensive means utilized to fill the vacant space and to obtain central support.

One of the primary objects of the present invention.

its cushioning strip and without changing the firm securing means for the article.

Another obiect of the present invention is to provide the carton with a novel interlocking cover which cooperates with slots in the sides of the carton and through 'which extends tacky tape to secure the cushioning strip or side flaps and thereby hold the article firmly in place. A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and reliable construction that is economical to manufacture, easy to assemble and positive in its operation.

With these and other objects in View, and to the end of attaining any other advantage hereinafter appearing,

this invention resides in certain features of construction 3,i5,275 Patented Dec. 1, 1%64 and combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of the carton with the cover and end flaps open showing a curved Panoramic windshield securely held in position;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective View similar to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, but showing the end flaps in their folded position;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view similar to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, but showing the carton in its closed position ready for shipment;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 3 of the drawings, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing in full lines one height windshield, and in dotted lines a different height windshield;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the particular cushioning or packaging strip used to wrap about the article to be shipped;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, but illustrating a slightly modified form of the carton and showing a deeper and larger carton for shipping a plurality of articles, and

FIGURE 7 is a transverse section through the carton shown in FIGURE 6 of the drawings, the section being represented by the lines 77 of FIGURE 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter C generally indicates one type of the improved carton and the same may be constructed from the desired strength of paper board. The carton C includes side walls 10 and 11, joined by the end walls 12 and 13, respectively, and is formed with a bottom wall 14, a cover 15 carrying a locking strip or wing 16 and each end wall is provided with the end flap extensions 17 and 13, respectively. The particular carton "illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4, inclusive, is designed to package and ship a Panoramic, curved windshield W,

and the windshield is initially wrapped in a packaging or cushioning strip 8. This strip S forms no particular part of the present invention, and therefore, need not be described in detail; however, for purposes of illustration, in FIGURE 5 of the drawing, it can be seen that the strip S includes broadly three plies 19, the upper and middle plies of which are formed with upstanding peaks 2% and 21, respectively. The outer plies have ll-shaped peaks and notches 22 cut therein to receive the peripheral edges 23 of the windshield W. Actually, the packaging strip S is similar to the packaging strip shown and described in US. Patent 2,888,134 issued May 26, 1959 to Lloyd D. Van Antwerpen, and it is obvious from reading the patent that the slots 22 are arranged to accommodate the shape of the Panoramic windshield when the strip is wrapped securely around the same.

- In accordance with the present invention, the strip may or may not be joined together by a short piece of tacky tape 24. In the preferred form, the tape is utilized, but as will become apparent, as the description proceeds, this tape is not necessary, since the strip S will be held firmly in place by the novel adjustable tape strips 25.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4 of the drawings, the side 11 of the carton is provided with a pair of spaced vertically extending slots 26 and these slots terminate adjacent the cover 15 at the portion of the side Wall.

' 'cover'inpositionr ends 39 of which are in alignment with the bottom ends I '23 of the slots 26; The upper ends of the slots 29 as previously mentioned, are open and form spaces 31' along the upper edge 32 of the side 19. ,The slots 2% perform a double function, in that, they'not only receive the ends 33 of the tapes 25 therethrough, but also act as a locking means for the wing 16 of the cover 15.

From the description thus far, it should be apparent that when the Windshield W with the cushioning strip S about the same is placed in the cart-on, shifting may take place. This is particularly so, since no means is provided for holding the central portion of the windshield and cushioning strip firmly in place. The tapes 25 therefore provide this means, and one end 34 is secured to the side 11 of the carton and the tape extends through the, slot 26, engages firmly the strip S, is received in one of the slots 29, and thus firmly secured adjacent the lower Thus center portions 35 of the tapes 25will firmly adhere to the top surface 35' of the cushioning strip S, and not only is the cushioning strip S held in its proper position relative to the Windshield but'the entire package is held against movement,

and damage'to the article is alleviated. In FIGURE 4 l of the drawings, the windshield W and the securing of the packaging strip S in place, are illustrated in full lines. If,

however, the windshield W is of a' greater height than that illustrated, it is obvious, as shown in dotted lines 36and 36 respectively from the slots 2& and 291. It is obvioustthen, that the tapes holding the cushioning strip S in'place can be readily removed and the article inspected. It is only necessary to re-secure the tapes,

since they are of the permanent tacky type, and close the cover by re-inserting the end portions-through the slots that the tape can be extended over the top of the strip and through a higher portion of the slots 2? and still be firmly secured to the side 10; Thus, different heights of articles can be accommodated in' the same carton.

In order to finally prepare the carton for shipping, it is only necessary to close the cover and insert the end portions 36 of the wing lethrough the slots 2%, so that they lie within the side Wall 10. Tapes 37 may then be applied to further hold the cover in position, though 'thesetapes are not absolutely necessary. Preferably, all

of the tape used should be of the tacky type, so that they can be removed and re-secured in place, and'still firmly hold. This is particularly important in the use of the tapes 25.

Referring now in particular to FIGURES 6 and7 of f the drawings, a slightly modified type of carton is illustrated, and this carton is particularly designed to carry a number oflike articles. This particular carton, therefore, would be of a greater height, length and width than the carton illustrated in FIGURES l to4 of the drawings.

Therefore, the carton C includes side walls 38 and 39 end walls 40 and 41, respectively, abottom wall 42,

cover 43 and a depending interlocking strip or wing 44. The same type of packaging strip S is utilized except that 29 and 29. No damage to the cushioning strip nor loosening of the article will be had, and the article will be held again, firmly in position against shifting.

Theslots 29; and '29 thus perform a dual function, in V 7 that, they accommodate the securing means for different.

heights of the articles and provide a locking means for the cover.

While We have shown two slots in the side walls 10 and 11 of carton C and two slots in the side Wall of cartonC, we could provide one slot in each and extend a portion of the respective Wings .16 and 44 therethrough', or we could provide more slots in each wall, but in that event, only one or two would be utilized for the cover locking feature;

From the foregoing, it is believed that the. features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will of course, be understood that'changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to Without depart ing from the spirit of the pendedclaims.

We claim:

1. A shipping carton for fragile articles comprising closed: I U

2 A'shipping carton for fragile jarticleslcompnsing side, end and bottom wa1ls,"a coverintegral with vone side 'wall, a dependinglongitudinally extending wing on said cover of a size and configuration to be received between said end walls, said side walls having aligned vertical slots forrne'd'therein, the slot in said side Wall opposite said cover opening out through the upper edge of said wall,

means associated with said slot and extending therethrough to secure the article in place, said cover wing having a; portion extending through said slotwhen said cover is closed sothat part of said wing'lies on the'outer side of said side wallgand part lies adjacent the inner side the ll-shaped notches 22 are provided in a spaced, longitudinally extending direction to accommodate a number 7 of glass articles G.

7 7 'In this particular form of the invention, the end flaps 45 and 46 respectively are extended so that they almost meet when in the folded operative position shown in' FIGURE 6. The side Wall 38 is, however, provided with the open enddownwardly extending vertical slots 29' but theopiposite side Wall 394s not provided 'with slots. Therefore, with the articles Gin the position shown in FIGURE 7 fof the drawings, the flapsdd and 46 are folded inwardly until they'are firmlyirested upon the cushioning or packag- 'ing strip S, the tapes 47 and 48 are secured to the side .38, extended through the slots 29' and firmlysecured to "the end'flaps 45 a'nd 46. 7 :In this" manner, the articles G and cushioning strip are firmly held in 'plac'e by these I tapes. The cover'43 is then folded over and the end sec-' tions' 36' of thewing 44 are fitted throughithe'slots 29" and lie within the side wall 38, thus firmly locking the When it is desired to inspecttthe clesed c'artons C or C, it is onlynecessaryio peel oh the tacky tape and open the carton cover 43 by simply removing the end portions or said side Wall,

3. A shipping "carton ,for fragile articles comprising" side, end and-bottom walls, a cover integral with one side Wall, a depending longitudinally'extending wing on said cover of a size and configurationfto be, received between said end' Walls, said side walls having spaced aligned 'ver- V tical slots formed therein, the slots in said side wall opposite said cover opening outthr'ough'theupper edge of therethrough to secure the article in place, said cover u said wall, means associated with said slots and extending wing havingportionsextending into) said slots whenisaid cover is closedfso that a portion of said wing lies adjacent V i I the outside of. said side i Wall and a portion lies adjacent the inside of said-side wall; 7 I

'4. A shipping carton as set forth in and engaging a respective side wall. 1

said meansfor securing said article'in place includes strips "of tackytape extending over said'article through said slots '7 i v t and engaging-the outer surfaces of the sidewalls.

* ,6. A shippingcarton as set forthin claim 2, wherein said end Walls are provided with end flaps extendingin invention or scope of the ap" clairnilwhereinfl said means for securing' said article in place includes a tacky tape extending over said article through said slot 5; A shippin'gcarton as set forth in claini'dgwhereini wardly and over said article and said means for securing said article in place includes tacky tape engaging said end flaps and a respective side wall.

7. A shipping carton for fragile articles having side, end and bottom walls, a pair of vertical slots formed in one side wall and opening out through the upper edge thereof, a cover integral with said other side wall, a depending longitudinally extending wing on said cover of a size and configuration to be received between said end walls when said cover is closed, an end flap integral with each end wall and adapted to be folded inwardly and overlie said article, strips of tacky tape each extending through a respective slot and having one end secured to an end flap and its other end secured to said side wall and said cover wing having portions extending into said slots when said cover is closed so that a portion of said wing lies adjacent the outside of said side wall and a portion lies adjacent the inside of said side wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,125,716 Golisano Aug. 2, 1938 2,569,733 Ringler Oct. 2, 1951 2,968,394 Appelt Jan. 17, 1961 2,968,395 Giebel Jan. 17, 1961 I FOREIGN PATENTS 338,138 Switzerland June 15, 1959 493,410 Great Britain Oct. 7, 1938 513,775 Great Britain Oct. 23, 1939 

2. A SHIPPING CARTON FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES COMPRISING SIDE, END AND BOTTOM WALLS, A COVER INTEGRAL WITH ONE SIDE WALL, A DEPENDING LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING WING ON SAID COVER OF A SIZE AND CONFIGURATION TO BE RECEIVED BETWEEN SAID END WALLS, SAID SIDE WALLS HAVING ALIGNED VERTICAL SLOTS FORMED THEREIN, THE SLOT IN SAID SIDE WALL OPPOSITE SAID COVER OPENING OUT THROUGH THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID WALL, MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SLOT AND EXTENDING THERETHROUGH TO SECURE THE ARTICLE IN PLACE, SAID COVER WING HAVING A PORTION EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT WHEN SAID COVER IS CLOSED SO THAT PART OF SAID WING LIES ON THE OUTER SIDE OF SAID SIDE WALL AND PART LIES ADJACENT THE INNER SIDE OF SAID SIDE WALL. 